
The Most Important Question
Science for people who give a sh*t.
Want to feel better AND unf*ck the world? The 6-time Webby nominee delivers deep conversations with the world's smartest people (scientists, doctors, CEO's, farmers, and more!), and digestible news updates every single week, to help you answer the world's most important question: What can I do?
We're talkin' clean energy and coral reefs, COVID vaccines and pediatric cancer research, clean water and carbon capture tech, asteroid deflection and artificial intelligence ethics.
"A vital service in an era where important truths, outright fiction and mere trivia all compete for your attention.” - Craig Mazin, creator, writer, and executive producer of HBO's Chernobyl
Hosted by Quinn Emmett
Latest episodes

Dec 30, 2020 • 12min
Do Better Better #11: The Trick to Unlocking Every Problem
This episode was originally published in print on December 7, 2020.Originally published to our community through our newsletter and blog, the Do Better Better essays are now available in audio for the first time. You’ll learn how to ask questions and think about our changing world, for yourself, your family, and your business.These essays compliment the audio version of our weekly newsletter, and of course, our ground-breaking conversations with diverse, interdisciplinary humans working on the frontlines of the future.We’re so grateful to have you as part of our community, working alongside us on the world’s biggest problems and opportunities.Two quick reminders:You can get these essays, our newsletter, and more right in your inbox at importantnotimportant.com
You can send us feedback at questions@importantnotimportant.com — feel free to record a voice memo on your phone and send that in. Ask a question or offer feedback, and we might use it in a future episode.Important, Not Important is produced by Crate Media

Dec 29, 2020 • 13min
Do Better Better #10: “Even the smallest person can change the course of the future”
This episode was originally published in print on November 22, 2020.Originally published to our community through our newsletter and blog, the Do Better Better essays are now available in audio for the first time. You’ll learn how to ask questions and think about our changing world, for yourself, your family, and your business.These essays compliment the audio version of our weekly newsletter, and of course, our ground-breaking conversations with diverse, interdisciplinary humans working on the frontlines of the future.We’re so grateful to have you as part of our community, working alongside us on the world’s biggest problems and opportunities.Two quick reminders:You can get these essays, our newsletter, and more right in your inbox at importantnotimportant.com
You can send us feedback at questions@importantnotimportant.com — feel free to record a voice memo on your phone and send that in. Ask a question or offer feedback, and we might use it in a future episode.Important, Not Important is produced by Crate Media

Dec 28, 2020 • 10min
Do Better Better #9: Georgia On My Mind
This episode was originally published in print on November 9, 2020.Originally published to our community through our newsletter and blog, the Do Better Better essays are now available in audio for the first time. You’ll learn how to ask questions and think about our changing world, for yourself, your family, and your business.These essays compliment the audio version of our weekly newsletter, and of course, our ground-breaking conversations with diverse, interdisciplinary humans working on the frontlines of the future.We’re so grateful to have you as part of our community, working alongside us on the world’s biggest problems and opportunities.Two quick reminders:You can get these essays, our newsletter, and more right in your inbox at importantnotimportant.com
You can send us feedback at questions@importantnotimportant.com — feel free to record a voice memo on your phone and send that in. Ask a question or offer feedback, and we might use it in a future episode.Important, Not Important is produced by Crate Media

Dec 25, 2020 • 5min
Issue #211: The 80/20 Problem of Our Time
Happy Holidays! In brief, this week: how to breathe in India. "Who Gets to Breathe Clean Air in New Delhi?"Find links from this newsletter and more at importantnotimportant.com/newsletterGot feedback? Email us at funtalk@importantnotimportant.comFollow us on Twitter at @importantnotimpImportant, Not Important is produced by Crate Media

Dec 24, 2020 • 11min
Do Better Better #8: One Choice Determined the Last 400 Years
This episode was originally published in print on October 11, 2020.Originally published to our community through our newsletter and blog, the Do Better Better essays are now available in audio for the first time. You’ll learn how to ask questions and think about our changing world, for yourself, your family, and your business.These essays compliment the audio version of our weekly newsletter, and of course, our ground-breaking conversations with diverse, interdisciplinary humans working on the frontlines of the future.We’re so grateful to have you as part of our community, working alongside us on the world’s biggest problems and opportunities.Two quick reminders:You can get these essays, our newsletter, and more right in your inbox at importantnotimportant.com
You can send us feedback at questions@importantnotimportant.com — feel free to record a voice memo on your phone and send that in. Ask a question or offer feedback, and we might use it in a future episode.Important, Not Important is produced by Crate Media

Dec 23, 2020 • 16min
Do Better Better #7: Let's Measure How Exposed You Are, Shall We?
This episode was originally published in print on September 20, 2020.Originally published to our community through our newsletter and blog, the Do Better Better essays are now available in audio for the first time. You’ll learn how to ask questions and think about our changing world, for yourself, your family, and your business.These essays compliment the audio version of our weekly newsletter, and of course, our ground-breaking conversations with diverse, interdisciplinary humans working on the frontlines of the future.We’re so grateful to have you as part of our community, working alongside us on the world’s biggest problems and opportunities.Two quick reminders:You can get these essays, our newsletter, and more right in your inbox at importantnotimportant.com
You can send us feedback at questions@importantnotimportant.com — feel free to record a voice memo on your phone and send that in. Ask a question or offer feedback, and we might use it in a future episode.Important, Not Important is produced by Crate Media

Dec 22, 2020 • 12min
Do Better Better #6: How to Spend The Next 10 Years
This episode was originally published in print on September 7, 2020.Originally published to our community through our newsletter and blog, the Do Better Better essays are now available in audio for the first time. You’ll learn how to ask questions and think about our changing world, for yourself, your family, and your business.These essays compliment the audio version of our weekly newsletter, and of course, our ground-breaking conversations with diverse, interdisciplinary humans working on the frontlines of the future.We’re so grateful to have you as part of our community, working alongside us on the world’s biggest problems and opportunities.Two quick reminders:You can get these essays, our newsletter, and more right in your inbox at importantnotimportant.com
You can send us feedback at questions@importantnotimportant.com — feel free to record a voice memo on your phone and send that in. Ask a question or offer feedback, and we might use it in a future episode.Important, Not Important is produced by Crate Media

Dec 21, 2020 • 14min
Do Better Better #5: How to Spend Your Time Right Now
This episode was originally published in print on August 29, 2020.Originally published to our community through our newsletter and blog, the Do Better Better essays are now available in audio for the first time. You’ll learn how to ask questions and think about our changing world, for yourself, your family, and your business.These essays compliment the audio version of our weekly newsletter, and of course, our ground-breaking conversations with diverse, interdisciplinary humans working on the frontlines of the future.We’re so grateful to have you as part of our community, working alongside us on the world’s biggest problems and opportunities.Two quick reminders:You can get these essays, our newsletter, and more right in your inbox at importantnotimportant.com
You can send us feedback at questions@importantnotimportant.com — feel free to record a voice memo on your phone and send that in. Ask a question or offer feedback, and we might use it in a future episode.Important, Not Important is produced by Crate Media

Dec 18, 2020 • 10min
Issue #210: Checking Your Clean Air Privilege, Fighting COVID Misinformation, & Starving for Capitalism
This week: Justice for Ella Kissi-Debrah; fighting COVID misinformation on Facebook; how often should your kids be on antibiotics?; and what hunger does to a nation (during a pandemic (during a climate crisis)). Applying to the Galactic Federation doesn't go well, no, not at all.Find links from this newsletter and more at importantnotimportant.com/newsletterGot feedback? Email us at funtalk@importantnotimportant.comFollow us on Twitter at @importantnotimpImportant, Not Important is produced by Crate Media

Dec 17, 2020 • 16min
Do Better Better #4: How To Pass A Test
This episode was originally published in print on August 29, 2020.Originally published to our community through our newsletter and blog, the Do Better Better essays are now available in audio for the first time. You’ll learn how to ask questions and think about our changing world, for yourself, your family, and your business.These essays compliment the audio version of our weekly newsletter, and of course, our ground-breaking conversations with diverse, interdisciplinary humans working on the frontlines of the future.We’re so grateful to have you as part of our community, working alongside us on the world’s biggest problems and opportunities.Two quick reminders:You can get these essays, our newsletter, and more right in your inbox at importantnotimportant.comYou can send us feedback at questions@importantnotimportant.com — feel free to record a voice memo on your phone and send that in. Ask a question or offer feedback, and we might use it in a future episode.Important, Not Important is produced by Crate Media